Apple tree named ‘Alpigala’

ABSTRACT

‘Alpigala’ is a whole tree mutation of ‘Gala’, the fruit of which is notable for its early coloring, very dark overcolor, and strongly defined stripes.

Latin name: Malus domestica.

Variety denomination: ‘Alpigala’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

‘Alpigala’ is a new and distinct variety of apple tree (Malus domestica). ‘Alpigala’ is a natural whole tree mutation of ‘Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637) discovered by the inventor in an established ‘Gala’ orchard at Manosque, France in 2010. Propagative material of the newly discovered tree was asexually reproduced by budding at Doué la Fontaine, France in 2010 and subsequently fruited through successive generations at Doué la Fontaine, France. ‘Alpigala’ has been observed to remain true to type over successive asexually propagated generations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Alpigala’ was first selected for its early coloring, very dark overcolor, and strongly defined stripes as compared to parent ‘Gala’ and other ‘Gala’ sports. Comparisons of ‘Alpigala’ to similar ‘Gala’-type varieties ‘Galaval’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,909) and ‘Biagent’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,016) are shown in the following table:

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘Alpigala’ to related and similar varieties ‘Alpigala’ ‘Galaval’ ‘Baigent’ ‘Gala’ Overcolor Dark purple Dark red Bright red Light brown bright red Pattern of Solid flush Solid flush Solid flush Heavily overcolor with strongly with no with strongly striped defined stripes defined defined stripes stripes Color Early, one Later, one Early Late develop- month before week before ment harvest harvest

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1. shows an ‘Alpigala’ tree;

FIG. 2 shows shoots and buds on an ‘Alpigala’ tree;

FIG. 3 shows blossoms and leaves on an ‘Alpigala’ tree;

FIG. 4 shows leaves of ‘Alpigala’; and

FIG. 5 shows fruit of ‘Alpigala’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following-detailed botanical description is based on observations made during 2015 and 2016 at Seiches sur le Loir, France of 3 and 4 year old trees grown on Pajam® 2 Cepiland rootstock (not patented). All colors are described according to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and will vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant or any group of plants of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Medium.         -   Type.—Ramified.         -   Habit.—Spreading.         -   Height.—2.20 m.         -   Trunk diameter (at 30 cm above the graft).—Medium (average             40 mm).         -   Bark texture.—Smooth.         -   Bark coloration.—Grey N200C. -   Branch (fruiting branches located at around 1 m above the graft     union):     -   -   Length.—Long, average 1.20 m.         -   Diameter.—Large, average 20 cm.         -   Crotch angle.—70 to 90°.         -   Bark color.—Grey N200C.         -   Lenticel length.—1 mm.         -   Lenticel shape.—Round.         -   Lenticel color.—Light yellow 8C.         -   Number of lenticels per cm ².—7 per cm². -   One year old shoot:     -   -   Length.—Short to medium, average 20 cm.         -   Color.—Brown N199C.         -   Pubescence.—Medium.         -   Thickness.—Thin, average 3.5 mm.         -   Internode length.—Medium, average 18 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Medium.         -   Lenticel diameter.—1 mm.         -   Lenticel height.—0.5 mm.         -   Lenticel shape.—Round.         -   Lenticel color.—Light yellow 4D.         -   Number of lenticels per cm ².—7 per cm². -   Flower buds:     -   -   Quantity per spur.—1 to 3.         -   Shape.—Round to conical.         -   Length.—Small to medium, average 11 mm.         -   Diameter.—Small to medium, average 12 mm.         -   Color.—Red purple N57A. -   Flowers:     -   -   Diameter of fully open flower.—Small to medium, average 29             mm.         -   Flower depth.—18.6 mm.         -   Relative position of petal margin.—Overlapping.         -   Fragrance.—Medium.         -   Number per cluster.—5 to 6.         -   Date of first bloom.—April 15 in Loire Valley, France.         -   Date of full bloom.—April 20 in Loire Valley France.         -   Pollination requirement.—‘Braeburn’, ‘Granny Smith’, or any             other variety flowering at the same time. -   Petals:     -   -   Number per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Ovoid.         -   Length.—Medium, average 17 mm.         -   Width.—Medium, average 13 mm.         -   Apex.—Round.         -   Base.—Conical-pointed.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Color of upper surface.—White N155C.         -   Color of lower surface.—White N155B. -   Pistils:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Length.—Medium, average 13 mm.         -   Color.—Yellow green N144C. -   Stigma:     -   -   Diameter.—Small to medium, average 0.6 mm.         -   Color.—Yellow green 150B. -   Style:     -   -   Size.—Long, average 11 mm.         -   Color.—Yellow green 145A. -   Ovary:     -   -   Diameter.—Medium, average 2 mm.         -   Color.—Green 140A. -   Anthers:     -   -   Quantity.—Numerous, average 13 per flower.         -   Length.—Medium, average 2 mm.         -   Presence of pollen.—Present, abundant.         -   Color of pollen.—Yellow 3C. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Medium to long, average 22 mm.         -   Diameter.—Quite thin, 1.5 mm.         -   Color.—Green 143B. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—5 per flower.         -   Length.—9.3 mm.         -   Width.—3.8 mm.         -   Apex.—Pointed.         -   Color.—Upper surface — Yellow-green 145A.         -   Color.—Lower surface — Light green 138D.         -   Shape.—Conical pointed.         -   Margin.—Smooth, pubescent. -   Leaves:     -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length.—Medium, average 88 mm.         -   Width.—Narrow, average 43 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—Medium to large (2.05).         -   Blade margin.—Serrate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base shape.—Oblique.         -   Color of upper surface.—Dark green 137A (late summer).         -   Color of lower surface.—Green 137C (late summer).         -   Attitude in relation to shoot.—Outwards to downwards. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Long, average 35 mm.         -   Diameter.—Thin, average 1.5 mm.         -   Coloration.—Green 137C. -   Fruit:     -   -   Quantity per cluster.—2 to 4.         -   Diameter.—73 mm.         -   Height.—63 mm.         -   Weight.—164 g.         -   Ratio of height to width.—Medium, 0.86.         -   General shape in profile.—Conical.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Middle.         -   Ribbing.—Moderate.         -   Crowning at calyx end.—Moderate.         -   Length of eye.—5 mm.         -   Width of eye.—5 mm.         -   Depth of eye.—6 mm.         -   Aperture of eye.—Closed.         -   Length of sepal.—Long.         -   Bloom of skin.—Weak.         -   Greasiness of skin.—Weak.         -   Amount of over color.—Very high.         -   Over color of skin.—Dark purple brown N77A.         -   Background color.—Light yellow 15D.         -   Intensity of over color.—Very intense.         -   Pattern of over color.—Solid flush with strongly defined             stripes.         -   Amount of russet around stalk cavity.—Small.         -   Amount of russet on cheeks.—Very weak.         -   Area of russet around eye basin.—Absent.         -   Length of stalk.—Medium, 26 mm.         -   Thickness of stalk.—Medium, 2 mm.         -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Medium, 15 mm.         -   Width of stalk cavity.—Narrow, 27 mm.         -   Depth of eye basin.—Shallow, 12 mm.         -   Width of eye basin.—Medium, 24 mm.         -   Firmness of flesh.—Medium to firm, 7.1 kg/cm².         -   Flesh texture.—Medium to fine.         -   Aroma.—Moderately aromatic, slightly sweet.         -   Juiciness.—Medium to high.         -   Brix.—11° Brix.         -   Flesh color.—Light yellow 4D.         -   Stem coloration.—Dark purple red 187A. -   Fruit locules:     -   -   Quantity per fruit.—5.         -   Length.—12 mm.         -   Width.—6 mm. -   Seeds:     -   -   Quantity per fruit.—5 on average.         -   Length.—9 mm.         -   Width.—5 mm.         -   Shape.—Truncate ovoid.         -   Coloration.—Dark purple red 53A. -   Harvest:     -   -   Time for harvest.—Early, last week of August (similar to             Galaxy).         -   Number of picks.—One to two picks.         -   Fruit load per tree.—60 fruits (about 10 kg) on third leaf             trees in 2016. -   Disease resistance/susceptibility: None noted. -   Winter hardiness: Hardy in region tested, USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. -   Market use: Fresh. -   Eating quality: Excellent — crisp, juicy and sweet. -   Storageability: About 4 months in cold storage, up to about 7 months     in controlled atmosphere storage. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree as described and illustrated herein. 